The Olde Savannah Inn Blog

78th Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens

kathleen Dupuis - Sunday, January 27, 2013

We have posted some of the highlights from the brochure for the upcoming Tour of Homes and Gardens in Savannah, GA. The 78th annual tour will take place on March 21- 24, 2013. For More information visit www.savannahtourofhomes.org.

Join the Annual Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens in

Celebrating 78 Years of Hospitality, Preservation and

Community Giving.

The Tour offers a rare opportunity to enter some of Savannah's

finest private homes and experience the architecture, furnishings

and collections that have been treasured by families for

generations, but seldom seen by the public. In addition to

walking tours, you will enjoy seminars, special events and some

of the best food and hospitality the South has to offer. These

properties have all been meticulously restored, preserving the

character of the space and allowing enjoyment of modern

amenities. Several incorporate more current design trends.

Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Edward

Oglethorpe, whose colonial plan was based on a grid

incorporating residences, primary thoroughfares and spacious

public squares. The 2013 Tour features homes in two of

Savannah's National Register Historic Districts. Downtown is

home to the largest urban National Historic Landmark District

in the United States. In this single square mile area, you will

find a genteel city encompassing the beauty, architecture and

history of the old South. Twenty-two oak-canopied squares

surrounded by lovely homes, businesses and churches give

Downtown Savannah a character of its own.

Ardsley Park, Savannah's first planned suburban area, recently

celebrated its 100th anniversary. Featured on our Sunday Tour,

Ardsley's creative concept of variable lot sizes yields an infinite

variety of large homes, gardens, cottages and bungalows. Today,

the tree-lined streets of Ardsley Park intersect circles and parks

offering a very livable, as well as walkable, neighborhood.

Home and Garden Tours are self-guided with a different group

of six to nine sites featured each of the four days. You may visit

these selected sites in any order during a three-hour period at

your own pace. The homes vary in age, size and style; they may

have high-stooped entries with steep steps to climb. Most are

NOT handicapped accessible. We regret that animals and

service animals cannot be admitted into the homes. Please wear

appropriate walking shoes for your comfort and safety and to

protect the integrity of the homes.

Tours, Seminars and Events fill quickly. Limited tickets.

Please reserve early. Tickets go on sale December 3, 2012

Home and Garden Walking Tour

Northeast Historic Landmark District

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Noon to 3:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Tickets $45

Lovely squares and friendly neighborhoods define this area,

which features some of the District's earliest homes. Charming

wood-frame and brick houses dating from 1789 are showcased

on this tour.

Secrets of Preserving a City

The Kennedy Pharmacy, 323 East Broughton Street

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Tickets $35

Learn the secrets of how Savannah has become famous for

preserving the largest urban historic district in the United

States. Daniel Carey, President of Historic Savannah

Foundation, will explain how this is being achieved using a

Revolving Fund and easements. Savannah was one of the earliest

communities to employ these tools…and they have saved nearly

400 buildings. A 30-minute presentation will be followed by a

one hour trolley tour with a sampling of success stories.

Lunch at The Lady and Sons Restaurant

102 West Congress Street

Seatings at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM Tickets: $35

“What's cooking, y'all?” Enjoy Paula Deen's world famous food in

the comfort of a private banquet room for Tour guests. Come

hungry for this delectable buffet and savor the legendary Southern

cuisine made famous by Paula on her television program.

Sapelo Island and Sweet Grass Baskets

Kennedy Pharmacy, 323 East Broughton St.

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Tickets $30

Born storyteller Cornelia Walker Bailey, a self-described

“Geechee,” tells about how Sapelo Island’s West African traditions

are alive today. She will transport you to this enchanted land of

miracles and magic and talk about the history of the island and

the small community that exists today. Yvonne J. Grovner will

weave her traditional Sea Island sweet grass baskets and tell of this

art that is passed down through generations. Grovner was taught

by Master basket maker Allen Green of Sapelo Island. Sapelo is a

barrier island off the Georgia coast is accessible only by ferry.

This is sure to be a delight!

Jere's Antiques, 9 North Jefferson Street

(just north of Bay Street)

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM Tickets $25

Learn how to recognize various styles of period furniture in this

lively and entertaining seminar in Jere Myer's own warehouse!

Jere will demonstrate construction techniques, materials and

finishes to equip you with the knowledge you need to

appreciate and wisely purchase a variety of antiques. Limited to

30 participants.

(www.jeresantiques.com)

The Gardener's Walking Tour

Departs from Calhoun Square

(Abercorn Street and East Taylor Street)

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Tickets $30

Local garden enthusiasts will take you on a stroll through

Savannah's squares sharing history, folklore and fun facts about

the natural landscape of the Landmark District. Savannah is

world-renowned for its blooming azaleas under a canopy of live

oaks. Come experience a unique blend of landscape design,

story-telling and natural beauty. Please remember to wear

appropriate clothing and footwear!

Welcome Reception and Worship Service

Chippewa Square

Independent Presbyterian Church, 207 Bull Street

5:30 PM Complimentary event; no tickets required.

The Women of Christ Church Anglican invite you to share a

Savannah tradition of gathering in the squares. Join us in

Chippewa Square for homemade goodies and fellowship to kick

off the 78th Annual Tour of Homes & Gardens. You will have

ample time after the 6:15 PM service to reach your dinner

destination. Casual attire.

Home and Garden Walking Tour

Southeast Historic Landmark District

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Noon to 3:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Tickets $45

Stroll back 200 years through Calhoun, Lafayette and Troup

Squares to view restored 19th century homes featuring wrought

iron, unusual architectural detailing and charming front stoops.

This neighborhood blends historic buildings with new

construction.

Fine Furniture: Creating and Restoring

Studio of Guenther Wood Group, 409 East York Street

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM Tickets $35

Master furniture maker Gregory Guenther opens his exclusive

studio for our seminar. Guenther creates exquisite furniture and

restores priceless antique furniture to its original grandeur. This

award winning artisan has been featured on PBS's Antique

Roadshow, The New Yankee Workshop and HGTV's Modern

Masters. He, along with conservator Roger White, will conduct

this unique seminar in their studio for an insider's view of

timeless art. (www.guentherwoodgroup.com)

Sampling Savannah's Favorites

First Baptist Church-Social Hall

102 West McDonough Street

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Tickets $30

Please join us for an entertaining presentation and sampling of

recipes from the award winning cookbook,

First Served in Savannah. Tidbits of local history are sprinkled

among the southern recipes in this tell-all, taste-all cookbook

produced by the ladies of St. Andrew's School. It also makes a

perfect gift or souvenir. Come with a good appetite!

Lunch at The Lady and Sons Restaurant

102 West Congress Street

Seatings at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM Tickets: $35

“What's cooking, y'all?” Enjoy Paula Deen's world famous food

in the comfort of a private banquet room for Tour guests. Come

hungry for this delectable buffet and savor the legendary

Southern cuisine made famous by Paula on her television

program.

Exploring the Architecture of Charles Cluskey

Begins at Saint Vincent's Academy

207 East Liberty Street

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Tickets $35

Local historian and preservationist Beth Lattimore Reiter

explores the contributions of antebellum era architect Charles

Cluskey, beginning with a slide lecture at the Cluskey-designed

Convent of the Sisters of Mercy at Saint Vincent's Academy.

The tour will also feature a walk to nearby buildings designed

by the architect and conclude at the Harper Fowlkes House,

Cluskey's crowning achievement in Savannah. Light

refreshments will be served on the porch. This seminar involves

walking. Please remember to wear appropriate clothing and

footwear!

The Gardener's Walking Tour

Departs from Calhoun Square

(Abercorn Street and East Taylor Street)

3:30 PM to 5:00 PM Tickets $30

Local garden enthusiasts will take you on a stroll through Savannah's

squares sharing history, folklore and fun facts about the natural

landscape of the Landmark District. Savannah is world-renowned

for its blooming azaleas under a canopy of live oaks. Come

experience a unique blend of landscape design, story-telling and

natural beauty. Please remember to wear appropriate clothing

and footwear!

When the Future was Limitless

Savannah 1840 -1860

Massie Heritage Center, 207 East Gordon Street

5:30 PM to 7:00 PM Tickets $40

Wine and cheese served. Must be 21 or older to participate.

In terms of population growth, infrastructure investment, the

development of civic institutions and overall growth rate of

economic expansion and population, the 20 years leading up to

the Civil War was in many ways a golden age for Savannah.

Although blighted by the institution of slavery, the city

nevertheless produced a generation of leaders—both black and

white—whose vision, energy and accomplishments are simply

breathtaking given the resources at their disposal. In those years,

the city doubled in size, set the price for cotton on the east

coast, and built numerous schools, hospitals, churches and

hotels. And, as businesses expanded aggressively, parks were

established and orphanages and other charitable institutions

were funded. During these years, a sewage and storm water

system—some of which still serve the city—a gas lighting

system, and waterworks that delivered fresh water to homes,

were initiated along with the expansion of the city’s police and

fire departments, its harbor, and the establishment of new

shipping lines. During these years of growth, not one but three

railroads were established—and all on a tax base of about 3,000

households. How did they do it? The answer is leadership—

extraordinary leadership— and this was provided by both

Savannah’s black and white communities. Presented by Barry

Sheehy and Vaughnette Goode-Walker, authors of Civil War

Savannah, Immortal City and Brokers, Bankers and Bay Lane,

at the historic Massie School opened in 1856 as Savannah’s first

free public school.

Trolley Back in Time

Departs from Trolley Stop at 18 Abercorn Street

5:30 PM to 9:00 PM Tickets $90

Must be 21 or older to participate.

This evening, step back in time to 19th century Savannah.

Enjoy the company of other tour guests and a private guide on

an open air trolley ride that will take you to three of Savannah’s

outstanding Historic museum homes. You will be given a

splendid tour with costumed interpreters and enjoy

hors d’oeuvres prepared especially for you. At the 1820 Isaiah

Davenport House, visitors will sample and learn the social

graces and importance of the Madeira wine tradition. The

rescue of this house, slated for demolition in 1955, was the

catalyst for the formation of Historic Savannah Foundation. At

the Bir thplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl

Scouts of America, guests will view activities that Juliette's

family would have enjoyed during the Victorian era in their

Savannah home. The Andrew Low House, designed by famous

architect John Norris, is one of America's finest examples of

Regency style domestic architecture. Historic figures such as

General Robert E. Lee have been welcomed here!

Home and Garden Walking Tour

Southwest Historic Landmark District

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Noon to 3:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Tickets $45

Built during the height of the cotton era, these 19th century homes

feature many Romantic revival architectural elements. Stroll

through Madison, Pulaski and Chatham Squares and visit

magnificent Forsyth Park. Visit shops in the Design District on

Whitaker and Jones during this Tour.

Siege of Savannah - Revolutionary War Battle

Begins at the at Savannah History Museum

303 Martin Luther King Junior Blvd

9:30 AM to 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Tickets $35

Dr. Preston Russell, author, artist and historian will give a lively and